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Johnson ready for international return

David Beniuk

Mitchell Johnson has declared himself ready for an international comeback after a fiery performance for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at Bellerive.

The 2009 international cricketer of the year grabbed four wickets and inflicted at least as many bruises with a menacing display of speed on Monday before being named in Australia's 14-man squad for the third Test against South Africa.

The 47-Test veteran joined Josh Hazlewood and John Hastings as the new quicks in the squad but all are widely considered to be behind Mitchell Starc in the pecking order for a starting spot made vacant because of an injury to James Pattinson.

But the left-armer's aggression at Bellerive - where he floored Tasmanian keeper Tim Paine with a vicious bouncer - and his familiarity with the bouncy WACA could boost his chances of playing a Test for the first time since November last year.

"That consistency's right up there again so I'm really happy with how things are going and if the opportunity came along again I'm definitely ready for it."

The 31-year-old said only a lack of swing in the conditions had stopped him being at his lethal best.

"I think as the game's gone on, I've felt at my best."

" ... I felt like I got the ball through.

"Obviously I got a few quick ones through to Tim Paine.

"I feel like my pace is there but that hasn't been a real focus for me.

"It's more being that 85, 90 per cent (and) being able to bowl that quicker ball."

Johnson's 4-103 did little to help the Warriors' cause, though, and they will begin day three at 1-54 in their second innings, still 327 behind the home side's first dig of 448.

The Tigers piled up a massive 381-run first innings lead on the back of Ben Dunk's 97, an unbeaten late cameo of 76 from James Faulkner and skipper George Bailey's 66.

Johnson had threatened to limit the lead, but Faulkner put on 93 for the last wicket with Bird as WA's wheels fell off.

"Birdy batted exceptionally well to face as many balls as he did and really grind them," Faulkner said.

The Warriors will resume with Marcus North unbeaten on 33 and Sam Whiteman 19, but probably without Johnson who is likely to fly home to link with the Australian squad before the Test beginning on Friday.